Means for registering printing plates



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L. w. CLAYBOURN MEANS FOR REGISTERING PRINTING PLATES Filed May 14, 1928 s SheetS- -She'et 3 Iig l5- {/32 M32 u A r 3 J4 Jam ruk 1;,

if ii Patented Jan. 5, 1932 LESLIE W. OLAYBOUBN, OF MILWAUKEE. WISCONSIN arms iron nsexs'r'nnme PRINTING PLATES Application filed Kay 14,

My invention relates to registering means in the printing art, is described in connection with registering printing plates, is applicable where it is desired to print various plates in definite relation to each other, and is especially useful in multi-color printing, wherein successive printings in different colors are imposed one on the other and it is desirous to have the printing lines for the various colors register one with the other.

It is the object of my invention to cause registry between plates without defacing the printing portions of the plates or 1m osing marks on said printing portions; an f urther, to provide means whereby print ng plates are located in predetermined position and provided with marks similarly related on complemental plates.

It is the object of my invention, further, to

provide novel means whereby to position a printing plate on a bed; further, to prov de novel means whereby to mark the printing plate; further, to provide a novel transparent sheet for receiving an impression from a printing plate and whereby to position coinplemental printing lates with relation to said impression; furt er, to provide such p0- sitioned printing plate with register marks; further, to provide a novel base having register marks with which the register marks on the printing plate are arranged to register for locating the printing plate in registry position on the base; further, to provide novel means for co-registering neighboring bases;

and, further, to provide novel means for fixin the registry relation between bases.

lhe invention will be' further readily understood from the following description and w claims, and from the drawings, in which latter:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, showing my improved means.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same, taken on the irregular line 2-2 of Fig. 1. 4

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of my improved registering means, partly broken away, and partly in vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4'is a plan view detail of one of the 1928. Serial Ho. 277,5?1.

pinging means for the hinged frame-memers.

Fig. 5 is a detail in verticalsectiomtaken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 9, showing the marking means of my improved device.

Fig. 6 is a detail cross-section of the securing means for the celluloid plate, taken on the line 66 of Fig. l. 1 1

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of my improved device, showing the pivoted frame-members 50 in different raised positions and partly broken away.

Fig. 8 1s a rearelevation of my improved device, partly broken. away, and partly in section on the line 88 of Fig. 3, showing 55 the pivoted frame in elevatedposition for operation in connection with type-high printin plates.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of my improved device, with the pivoted frame raised, and showing 7 the marking device in position for use.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the marking means, shown in vertical section on the line 10 10 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a lan .view detail of the con necting means Between the frame-members.

Fig. 12 is a crossesection of the same, taken on the line 12- -12 of Fig. 11; i

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing positioned printing plates and bases in registefed relations. r

Fig. 1 1 is a cross-section of the same, taken on the line 14-44% of Fig. 13, partly broken away.

Fig. 15 is. a longitudinal section taken in 35 the plane of the line.15-15 of Fig. 14, and partly broken away.

Fig. 16 is a cross-section of a detail of the same, taken in the plane of the line 1616 of Fig. 14; and,

Fig. 17 is peisp'ective view of a marking blade used for type-high plates.

A suitable bed 21 is provided with a sup porting surface 22 for a printing plate, exempiified at 23, (Figs. 1, 2 and 9) or the supporting surface may support any other objects to be registered, for instance, a typehigh printing block 24, exemplified-in Fig. 8, all of which objects are for the purposes hooks, are arranged to slide in of this inwention included in the term plate or rinting' plate.

late positioning parts 26, shown as plateooves 27 in the bed, and are exemplifie as having threaded connection with screws 28, res ectively journaled in bearings 29, 30, fixe to the bed, and provided with operating handles 31, shown as knurled knobs, for rotating the screws and thereby moving the plate-hooks lengthwise of the grooves for locating the printing plate (Figs. 1 and 2). The respective screws are held endwise in their bear- A number of these positioning arts are provided, two of the same being s own at each side of the printing plate and one at each end of the printing plate. (See Fig.

The bed is provided with slots 35, 36, 37, 38. Opposite walls of the slots 35, 36, are

in line with each other, for forming a centering line 39, and opposite walls of the slots 37, 38, are in line with each other, for forming a centering line 40 (Fig. 9). The centering lines are perpendicular to each other and are imposed upon the supporting surface for providing centering lines for the printing plate which are preferably at substantially right angles to each other..

A marking tool is arranged to slide in these slots. The marking tool is exemplified as comprisin a slide 41, provided with a tongue 42 received in the respective slots in the bed, and having a marking part 43 thereon (Figs.

5, 9 and 10). The marking part is shown as a blade received in a slot 44 in the slide, and clamped in the slot by a flange 45 of a screw 46, threaded into the threaded hole 47 in the slide. A handle 48 is provided with a socket 49 received over the outer shank 50 of the screw (Fig. 10), and arranged to be held to the clamping screw by means of apin 51 received through the hub 52 of the handle and a hole in the upper extension of the screw, the parts being assembled preferably so that the handle extends lengthwise of the slide wheri the marking part is clamped, for convenience in manipulation.

The marking part is shown provided with a beveled marking edge 53, the bevel of which corresponds to the bevel of the beveled edge 54 of the printing plate 23 exemplified! (Fig. 5). The marking edge of the tool preferably moves in registry with the centering lines 39, 40, on the bed, so that the registering marks 55, 56, on the plate will be coincident with the centering lines on the bed (Figs. 9 and 13) regardless of the size or position of the plate on the bed. If a type-high plate is being registered, a marking part or blade 57 having abeveled edge-58, see Fig. 17, corresponding in height to the height of the beveled edge 59 (Fig. 8) of the type-high plate is employed in place of the marking part 43.

A frame 61 is movable with relation to the 1,ase;sco

bed, and is arranged to be placed in definite relation with the bed for coaction with the plate on the bed in the registering operation (Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 9). The frame is shown pivoted to the bed and is rovided with a sheet 62 (Figs. 1 and 6), WhlCh is preferably a transparent sheet, being, for instance, of celluloid or other material through which the printing lines on the printingplate may be viewed when the sheet is incoactive relation therewith.

Means are also referably provided for definitely locating t e sheet with relation to the frame, which means are also preferably so arranged that the sheet may be removed and replaced for rearrangingthe sheet in previously determined definite relation with the frame for repeated use.

In the present exem lification the frame is a composite frame an is pivoted to the bed, the parts of the frame being pivoted to each other and serving as a clamp for clamping the transparent sheet in place. Thus 65 is exemplified as a main frame-member, provided with pivot-lugs 66, 67, at opposite corners thereof (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7). Pivotsupports 68, 69, are located at opposite corners of the bed and are shown adjustable with relation to the bed. The pivot-support 68 is provided with a pivot-pin 70 supported in bearings 71, 72, in a bracket 73 on the support. The pivot-pin is urged toward a pivot recess 74 in the pivot-lug 66 by-means of a spring 75 (see Fig. 4). The spring is shown as a spiral spring received about the pivot.- pin between the bearing 71 and a collar 76 on the pivot-pin. The collar is preferably spaced from the bearing 72 by a space 77 for receiving the end of a screw-driver or other implementwhereby the pivot-pin is urged outwardly for releasing the frame 61.

The pivot-support 69 is provided with a pivot-pin 81 received in a pivot-recess 82 on the pivot-lug67 on the pivoted frame (Figs. 2 and 8). The pivot-ends of the pivot-pins 70, 81, are preferably conical, the pivot recesses 74, 82, being of complemental form for truly centering the pivot-frame on its pivots.

A supplemental frame-member 85 is pivoted to the main frame-member 65, as by means of pivot-pins'86, 87, located in complemental pivot-bearings at opposite corners of the frames, the pivot-bearings being respectively in the pivot-lugs 66, 67, on the main frame-member and in pivot-lugs 88,89, on

lugs 95 arranged to coact with stop-pins 96 extending inwardly from the ivot-lugs 66, 67 on the main frame-member I Fig. 7). The slipplemental frame-member has a recess 97 ig. 4) at each of its pivoted corners for accommodating thepivot-lugs 66, 67, on the main frame-member.

The frame-members are shown as rectanlar structures com rising marginalbars.

he marginal bars of the main frame-member are at suitable intervals provided with locating pins 101 (Fig. 7). The sheet 62 (see Fig. 6) is provided with holes 102 corres onding distances apart for being receive over the positioning pins and locating the sheet definitely with relation .to the positioning frame. The supplemental frame-member serves as'a clamp-frame, and is arranged to be received over the sheet and the positioning pins for definitely holding the sheet in stretched relation or flat with relation to the frame. The locating pins are received in re cesses 103 in the supplemental frame. The sheet is in definite relation with the frame, the

frame is in definite relation with the bed, and.

the printing plate is placed in definite relation with the bed.

The frame-members are preferably secured together with the transparent sheet between them, as by means of clamps 104 (Figs. 1, 11 and 12), shown as spring clips. Each. of the clamps is pivoted to the upper frame-member on a pivot-pin 105, shown as a rivet, and is provided with a lip 106 arranged to be received under the lower frame-member for se curely clamping the frame parts and the transparent sheets together. The clamps are pfi'ovided with grips 107 for readily moving t em Positioning means are provided for proper elevational position of the frame with relation to the bed so that the transparent sheet will be in proper relation with the plate when the frame is' lowered. These positioning means are shown at the corners of the bed opposite the pivotal points of the frame, as stops 108 (Figs. 3, 8 and 9). Each of these stops has a shank 109 adjusted to elevation in v a bore 110 in the bed, and secured inadjusted position by means of a set-screw 111. The frame is exemplified as arranged in Figs. 2 and 3 for locating the transparent sheet at proper height for registering an unmounted printing plate. My improved device-is also arranged for registering printing plates which are type-high, for instance all-metal stereotype or electrotype lates or blocks, and printing plates mounted on or secured to wood or other bases. (See Fig. 8)

When marking such type-high plates, I prefer to correspondingly elevate the frame 61. The pivot-supports are preferably adjustable on the bed. Each of the pivot-supports is provided with a rib 112 received in a groove-1,13 in the bed (Figs. 7 and 8). A threaded stud 114 extends from the corner of the bed and is received in a slot 115 in the pivot-support. A clamp-nut 116 is threaded over the stud and is provided with a hub 117 received in a complemental socket 118 in the pivot-support.v T is socket is at one end of the slot 115. There is a similar socket 119 at the other end of the slot. When the hubs of the clamp-nuts 116 are located in the sockets 118 atthe upper end of the slots at the respective ivoted corners of the frame 61,

the frame is pivoted for the height of unmounted printing plates. When the pivotsupports are, elevated, and the hubs of the clamp-nuts 116 are located in the sockets 119,

the frame 61 is elevated for proper height for operating on type-high plates. When operat ing on type-high plates, the stops 108 for supporting the swinging end of the swinging frame 61 are elevated to correspon ing heights by releasing the set-screws 111, raising the shanks 109 in their sockets 110 to proper heights, and again clamping said shanks by means of said set-screws in their new positions. v

Instancing the operation of my improved means in connection with registering unmounted printing plates intended for multicolor, work, the pr1nting-plate23 may-be instanced as the key-plate for a set of printing plates, respectively arranged for printing different; colors imposed one on the other. The key-plate is tions or printing lines, exem li ed at 121,to depict the subject printed ig. 1). The various color plates are provided with printing portions or printing lines complemental to the printing portions or printing lines on the key-plate, or a portion thereof. The transparent sheet is provided with lines 122 coincident with the overall width and the overall length of the key-plate, these lines being drawn accurately central with relation to the centering lines 39,40, on .thesupporting portion of the bed (Fig. 9);- The lines 122 are preferably scratched on or'into the trans parent sheetv or otherwise preferably permanently formed thereon. They. are shown as depicting a rectangle to correspond with the area-of the key-plate. The lines define the outline of the key-plate- Th its margins are coincident with the locating lines 122 on the transparent sheet, the pivot-' frame being swung downwardly for locating the transparent sheet immediately above the. key-plate. The key-plate is readily shifted on the supporting surface by manipulation of the hand wheels 31 for moving the key-plate lengthwise orsidewise or shifting the same angularly to accurately position the key-plate with relation to the marking 122. The pivotframe is then raised, and the slide 41 of the marker (Fig. 5) is moved in its grooves for contacting the marking part 43 with the margins of the key-plate, and providing said provided with tinting pore key-plate is locatedon the bed so that margins with centering marks 55, 56, in

to the registered plates line with the centering lines 39, 40, respectively (Fig. 9). The keyplate may be repositoned on the bed at any time by causing its marks 55, 56, toregister with the centering lines'39, 40, on the bed. The register marks on the key-plate are shown made on the bevel faces of the margins thereof.

The key-plate in this sition is suitably inked as by means of'a liiind inking roller, and the pivoted frame swung downwardly,

and an impression 125 (Fig. 1) of the keyplate is made on the under face of the transpa'ren'tsheet in suitable manner, as by rolling a hand impression roller over the transparent sheet. The printing lines of the keyplate are thus transferred to the transparent sheet.

The'kcy-plate is then removed from the bed, and one of the color plates placed on the bed, the pivoted frame is swung downwardly for locating the transparent sheet having the printing 125 of the key-plate thereon over the color plate. The color plate is then shifted by operation of the handwheels 31 for locating the printing lines of the color plate in registry with the complemental printed lines of the impression of the key-plate on the transparent sheet, thus causing registry between said color plate and said impression and co-registry between the printing plates. When this registry has been effected, the frame of the transparent sheet is f raised, and the marking tool moved lengthwise in its slots for marking the respective margins of the color plate, and providing said margins with corresponding marks 55, 56, co-

incident with the centering lines 39, 40, on the bed, these marks being coincident on the color late with the corresponding marks on the ey-plate.

The other color plates of the set are correspondingly marked. In this manner all the complemental color plates are provided with corresponding register marks. All these register marks are made coincident with the centering lines on the bed, regardless of the sizes or shapes of the respective plates, and the plates are then, mounted, the mountings being gag-ed solelyby the positions of the complcmental register ,marks 55, 56, insuring that when mounted, the printing lines on all the color plates will register with each other for producing printing in perfect registry- Similar steps are taken for causing co-registry between printing plates other than color plates, as for instance, correspondingly registering the printing plates for various pages in a book or for other purposes wherein registering of printing plates or objects is desired. 7

I provide register bases 130 complemental (Figs. 13 and 14). The register base is a base on which the printing plate is mounted for producing a type- Tli 'e worms 139, 140,'mes in the bottom of the groove 138.

high printingstructure. The register base is provided with centering lines 131, 132, which are perpendicular to each other, respectively extending crosswise and lengthwise of the base, and being preferably parallel respectively withthe ends and sides of the base. The printing plate provided with the register marks 55-, '56, is placed on this base, with itsregister marksin accurate registry with the register lines 131," 132, on the base.

The base is provided with plate-securing means, shown as register hooks 135. The register hooks respectively comprise a register jaw 136, coacting with the beveled margln of the printing plate, and pivoted" on a block 137, slidable in grooves 138 in'the base. The block is preferably propelled in the groove by means of worms 139, 140, fixed to a shaft 141, journaled in bearings 142, 143, in the block and having a bevel inion 144 thereon. with a rack 145 The bevel pinion 144 is meshed by a bevel pinion 146 provided with a journal-stem 147, rotatable in the register hook, and having a socket 148, preferably square in cross-section, arranged to receive a suitable tool for turning the bevel pinion 146.

The block is provided with side tongues 151 received in slots 152 in the side walls of the groove 138 (Figs. 14, 15 and 16). The construction and operation of the register hook may be such as is usual or desired.

The base is provided with grooves 155 at its respective margins (Figs. 13 and 14). The base is also provided with projections 156, shown formed by the bodies of the reg ister hooks. The projections 156 and the grooves 155 are complemental, the one being arranged to be received in the other located on neighboring bases for definitely positioning neighboring bases with relation to each other and locating neighboring bases so that their center lines 131, 132, align with each other,'thus causing registry between plates on neighboring blocks, and causing registry between the printing lines on the various plates in a complete form, regardless of the number-of plates that may be secured in the form. The normally projecting portions of these bodies are preferably devoid of the folds between the superposed pages in a signature, the outer connected pages in the sig nature requiring larger margins between them than the inner connected pages of the signature. For this purpose I provide spactions 156, so that these assesseing shims 161 (Fig. 15). These spacin shims may be of different thicknesses accor ng to the number of pages and the relations of the pages in the form. The shims are provided with recesses 162 to accommodate the pro ecprojections may connect adjacent plates across the shims.

hen registering type-high plates, the frame for the transparent sheet is elevated, and the transparent sheet is provided with similar marginal lines similar to and coincident with the registering lines 122. The typehigh plates include a key-plate and color plates, which are registeredand marked similarly to the registering and marking of the key-plate and color plates hereinbefore mentioned. When such type-high plates are se cured in the form, they are secured with the register marks of adjacent plates in registrywith each other, so that all the plates of the form are in co-registry, as explained in connection with the printing plates hereinbefore described.

My improved means are simple for accomplishing the purposes intended. They further provide means whereby the registering marks may be so placed on the'printing plates as not to mar or appear on the printed age; and, further, provide registering mar on the printing plate capable of being accurately placed in registry with registering marks on the base, and neighboring printing plates may be further co-registered, and the various bases in the printing form connected for definite and accurate registry throughout.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: In a printing plate registering device, the combination of a bed, a. frame having connection therewith, a transparent sheet having marked thereon the outline of a key printing plate, means for releasably securing said transparent sheet in registered position on said frame, means on said bed for ositioning said key-plate on said bed wit its outline in registry with said outline mark on said transparent sheet, said b ed provided with register marks, an edge marker for said ey-plate for marking the edge of said keyplate in registry with said register marks on said bed, and guiding means on said bed for said marker for guiding said marker complemental to said register marks on said bed, said key-plate arranged to be printedeon said transparent sheet, said positioningme'ans on said bed permitting other printingi fplates respectively provided with printing portions whose printing lines are complemental to printing lines of said impression on said tr nsparent sheet to be positioned on said be with said printing lines on said other printing plates in registry with printing lines of said printed impression on said transparent sheet, and said edge marker arranged to complementally mark the edges of said other printing plates while in such registered positions on said bed.

In a printing plate registering means, the combination of a bed, a frame pivoted to said bed, a transparent sheet, means on said frame for releasably securing said transparent sheet to said frame in position for receiving a printed impression on said transparent sheet from a printing plate positioned on said bed, said bed provided with register lines perpendicular to each other, means whereby to position complemental printing plates on said bed whereby to register printing lines on said respective complemental printing plates with printing lines of said impression on said transparent sheet, edge marking means, and guiding means between said bed and said edge marking means parallel with said respective register lines whereby to guide said edge marking means to complementally mark said printing plates so positioned on said bed in similar definite relations.

3. In a printing plate registering means, the combination of a bed, a frame comprising a pair of frame-members, means pivoting said frame to said bed, means pivoting said frame-members together, a transparent sheet, means releasably securing said transparent sheet between said frame-members, said bed provided with register lines perpendicular to each other, said transparent sheet provided with an outline-mark defining the outline of a printing plate, said transparent sheet having an impression thereon of said plate, edge-marking means for printing plates, and guiding means on said bed guidin said edgemarking means parallel with sai respective perpendiculbr register lines and arranged for edge-marking printing plates complemental to said register lines.

In a printing plate registering means, the combination of a bed, a frame, a transparent sheet, means releasablysecuring said transparent sheet to said frame, said bed provided with register lines perpendicular to each other, said transparent sheet provided with an outline-mark defining the outline of a printing plate, said transparent sheet having an impression thereon of said plate, edge marking means for printing plates, guiding means on said bed guiding said edge marking means parallel with said rsepective perpendicular register lines and arranged for edgemarking printing plates complemental to said register lines, and means whereby the distance between said bed and said frame may be adjusted for accommodating unmounted and mounted printing plates between said bed and said transparent sheet.

5. In a printing plate registering means, the combination of a bed provided with regi tering marks, guiding means thereon complemental to said registering marks, a transits lid

1,see,see

parent sheet, means for supporting said transparent sheet in predetenmned relation with aid bed "for receiving a printed impression of the printing lines of a printing plate po- 6 sitioned on said bed, adjusting means on said bed for ad iusting printing plates to position the printing lines thereon in registry with said printed impression, and marking means on said bed coin iemental to said first named in registering mei zs guided by said guiding means for mnrkin said printin plates complemental to said first-name registering marks.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto 3,5 signed my name.

*" LESLIE W. CLAYBOUBN. 

